Heywood Hardy was a highly regarded British painter of animals and equestrian subjects. He also painted landscapes and portraits. Trained initially by his father James Hardy Senior, he soon found his way to the illustrious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he studied under Isidore Pils. He was a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and his works are held in numerous public collections.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Watercolour Society.

Memberships

Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Watercolour Society (Associate).

Public Collections

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery, National Trust, Yale Centre for British Art, Sheffield Museum, Royal West of England Academy, Manchester Art Gallery and Bury Museum among others.

Timeline

1842

Born in Chichester, England, to the artist James Hardy Senior (1801-1879) and Elizabeth Hardy.

C. 1859

Left the family home following an argument with his father. Moved to Keynsham.

1864

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘Gyleen, near Cork’ and ‘The shady lane’. Address given as Greenfield Cottage, Southwell Street, Bristol.

Enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he studied under Isidore Pils (1815-1875). In his spare time, he often studied the old masters at the Louvre.

1869

Moved to Goring, Oxfordshire.

1870

Moved to St John’s Wood, London.

1873

Travelled to Egypt to paint wildlife.

1909

Moved to East Preston, Sussex.

1933

Died.